Who doesn't like seeing a baby's toothless smile? Toothless smiles in the early months of a newborn’s life are cute, but those empty gums will not last for long. As little ones begin teething, they might drool more and want to chew on every object they see. But when exactly does this whole teething process tend to begin? Like many aspects of child-rearing, there's a wide range of "normal" for babies getting their first teeth. In this blog, we will explore some typical time frames of baby teething and how to help your baby through the teething process.
1. Typical Teething Timeframes:
If you've asked fellow parents when their little ones started their teething journey, you've probably gotten a huge range of answers. That's because, much like many baby milestones, teething follows a delightfully imprecise schedule. While most stick to some general timeframes, there's really no definitive "normal."
2. The Early Overachievers:
A few eager babies may even start working on their first tooth as early as 3 months old. If your baby is a member of this precocious (and perhaps wildly unlucky) club, you'll likely notice them furiously gumming and drooling like nobody's business well before the 6-month mark. Parenthood speed run unlocked!
3. The Fashionably Late Bloomers:
On the opposite end, having a fresh-faced 12-month-old with a gummy grin is surprisingly common too. As long as that first tooth eventually pokes through by 15-18 months, they're within the general range of normal. No need to panic if your little one seems to be running fashionably behind schedule.
Signs That the Teething Process Is Started
If your baby is approaching that 4-7 month window of a typical teething kickoff, you may start noticing some subtle signs that the first few teeth are getting prepped backstage:
- Excessive drooling and mouth moisture
- Increased crankiness, crying, and apparent mouth discomfort
- Refusal to eat or take a bottle
- Chewing, biting, or gnawing on any and everything they can get their hands on
- Cheek redness or face rash from excessive drool
- Ear pulling or cheek rubbing
- Sleeplessness and night waking
Basically, just picture a tiny human tornado of drool, fussiness, and chew-happy tendencies taking over your home. While not exactly adorable behaviour, it's all part of the joyous process!
Teething Relief for Your Little One
Luckily, there are some tried-and-true natural remedies that can provide much-needed relief for both you and your little one during this tough transitional period. Applying gentle cooling objects like chilled banana pieces or frozen washcloths can do wonders for soothing angry gums. Massage techniques coupled with clove or chamomile-infused balms create a numbing effect.
And be sure to check out our comprehensive guide "Ayurvedic Remedies for Baby Teething" for many more easy remedy suggestions! Every little bit of comfort counts during those rough stretches.
When to Be Concerned
While the full scope of teething symptoms can be pretty intense, there are a few red flags that something more serious may be going on:
- Fever over 101°F that isn't improved by medication
- Prolonged vomiting or diarrhea
- Excessive lethargy or unresponsiveness
If your teething babe exhibits any of those in addition to the fussiness, it's worth a call to the pediatrician just to rule out any illnesses. Sometimes the signs can overlap!
Conclusion
Every baby has their own unique teething timeline. Whenever those first tiny teeth do decide to make their grand entrance, just know that your drool-soaked, cranky-baby days are finally behind you.
But look at the bright side - soon your little one will have a full set of adorable teeth to smile, eat, and chew on everything with! Cherish those gummy grins now, tooth-filled smiles are right around the corner.
Shop for the Best Baby Care Products
